Bodies of US firefighters killed in tanker crash begin journey home

The bodies of two US airmen killed in a plane crash while fighting bushfires in southern NSW will begin their journey home today as investigations continue into the tragic accident.

• Memorial service for US firefighters killed in plane crash
• GoFundMe for US crew killed fighting fires

Two American firefighters who died w hile waterbombing bushfires in the state’s south will have their bodies returned home today.

Investigations are continuing into how captain Ian McBeth, 44, first officer Paul Clyde Hudson, 42, and flight engineer Rick DeMorgan died last month when their C-130 plane crashed in the Snowy Mountains.

This morning, there was a military procession as one of the caskets was loaded into a United Airlines flight destined for Houston.

Draped in USA flags, the caskets of the killed fireys are carried to the aircraft.

Captain Ian McBeth, the pilot of a C-130 fire retardant tanker that crashed fighting wildfires in Australia.

First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson died after the C130 water tanker smashed into the ground northeast of Cooma.

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Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons was at the airport to thank the men for their service.

The first plane was due to leave at 11.20, the second at 1pm and the third on Saturday.

The last flight will leave from Richmond Airport.

The men were employed by Coulson Aviation and contracted by the Rural Fire Service to fight fires during an unprecedented bushfire season.

All three leave behind young families.

Flight Engineer Rick DeMorgan Jr was killed when the waterbombing tanker crashed northeast of Cooma on January 23.

RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the NSW bushfire crisis would have been worse if not for their remarkable individual contributions of the US airmen.

Heading home …

A GoFundMe account has been created to support their families and $30,000 has already been raised of the $50,000 target.

“On Thursday 23, 2020, the world tragically lost the heroes of Tanker 134 while battling brush fires in Australia,” a statement from Coulson Aviation said.

“We’re raising funds to help defer the immediate financial burden to the families of Captain Ian McBeth, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick DeMorgan.

“Funds will be raised and divided equally between the beneficiaries of Tanker 134 crew members who lost their lives. Raised funds will be distributed on a weekly basis until the goal is met. We will keep everyone informed of distributions.”

One final salute on Australian

An aerial photo of wreckage of the firefighting air tanker near Numeralla, south west of Sydney, where the crew from the US firefighters were killed. Picture: NSW Police

Investigators uncovered the last two hours of the cockpit voice recording inside the wreckage of the C-130.

It is expected to take weeks before a preliminary report is filed due to the “complicated” kilometre long crash site – which is also an active bushfire area.

To donate to their families click here – https://au.gofundme.com/f/coulson-tanker-134-memorial-fund